World Heritage Explaining and Safeguarding the Universal Value of Humanity’s Shared Heritage
The UNESCO World Heritage List is widely known, yet since the early 21st century, the protection of nominated properties has increasingly been required in the sense of living heritage (see note 1). In other words, World Heritage sites should not be managed only by scholars, governments, or tourism enterprises, but rather “safeguarded through the involvement of diverse stakeholders” (see note 2).
To achieve this, the value of each site must be communicated clearly, in a way that can be understood by all those concerned. In the inscription process, the nominating government is required to present a convincing explanation of the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), while also demonstrating its integrity and authenticity. This process demands the concentrated wisdom of the nation. Furthermore, governments must identify the specific tangible and intangible attributes in which such value resides, and make a formal commitment to the international community to safeguard them.
It is precisely because these sites are cherished under the constant gaze—both interest and critique—of people around the world that World Heritage continues to hold such enduring appeal.
Note 1: “Living heritage” refers to (1) heritage where tangible elements (buildings, archaeological remains, etc.) and intangible elements (cultural practices, livelihoods, etc.) are fused together to create value, and/or (2) heritage preserved through the meaningful involvement of local residents or related indigenous communities as respected stakeholders.
Note 2: The 1999 ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Charter specifies that those who should be involved in heritage protection and management include: owners of the heritage, the present-day host community, and indigenous custodians. The explicit recognition of these three actors reflects a critical reassessment of past practices, where cultural heritage management had been largely dominated by governments, academics, and private developers.